Erik ten Hag's comments should send Manchester United alarm bells ringing

"I will fight for my ideas," said Erik ten Hag following Manchester United's defeat in the FA Cup final at the beginning of June. The campaign might have ended in disappointment with a defeat against Manchester City at Wembley, but Ten Hag still enjoyed an excellent first year at the club and the new season signalled the next stage of his rebuild.

Ten Hag sometimes compromised his principles for results and the signing of Andre Onana promised to have a transformational impact on build-up play, which suggested that would no longer be necessary.

United were expected to progress again this season, particularly with how Ten Hag wanted his side to play. His successful Ajax team played a possession-based, attractive and efficient style and every player knew their role.

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But November is just around the corner and that description couldn't be further from what the team currently is. There is a lack of identity and supporters left Old Trafford on Sunday wondering where improvement would come from.

United's regression has been remarkable and the weekend's Manchester derby performance highlighted how drastically they've fallen, with Pep Guardiola's side earning a comfortable 3-0 win despite not having to leave first gear.

United are suddenly in crisis again, but the cracks have been there for weeks and fingers are now being pointed at the manager.

Ten Hag has received a level of backing other United managers in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era would be envious of and it's scandalous that his players look so poorly coached and that a distinct style of play is absent. Although this was supposed to be the season Ten Hag's